Curling Rocks!: Chronicles of the Roaring Game

Drawing on author John Cullen’s years of experience as both a stand-up comic and an elite curler, Curling Rocks! offers a lighthearted, expertly detailed look at a unique sport and its history, from the most absurd curling fashions to the most sublime matches ever played.

The sport of curling continues to expand its global reach, attracting new players and fans far beyond traditional strongholds. Yet, even in Canada—a country with a long curling history and fifteen hundred clubs of its own—the game is often dismissed as an eccentric pastime.

According to author John Cullen, this is because curling is both inherently funny and chronically underestimated as a battle of skill and strategy. And Cullen is perfectly qualified to make this double-edged claim: not only is he a stand-up comic with many years of experience at the mic, but he’s had years on the ice as an elite curler.

Because most previous books on curling have been either how-to guides or standard biographies of prominent players, there has long been space for a reader-friendly overview of the “roaring game” (a nickname inspired by the sound of the forty-pound stone en route to its target). Curling Rocks! sets out to fill this gap with a lighthearted, expertly detailed account of the sport, ranging from the absurd to the sublime. Next to his observations on ill-fitting fashions and odd scandals—among them “Broomgate,” when controversial new sweeping technology almost took out the curling world—Cullen offers insights on everything from the greatest matches ever played to the peculiar heartbreak that comes with losing.

In these inviting, irreverent and often deeply personal essays, Cullen finally gives the perplexing, beloved game its due.

“We all know John Cullen can spin a good story—just look at the wild success of his Broomgate podcast. Reading Curling Rocks! is like sharing a cold beverage with a buddy and chatting about curling for a few hundred pages. With curling on the rise, this is a one-stop shop for new fans who want to better understand the sport. It’s also a great read for seasoned curlers, as it highlights so many pivotal moments in the game. As a retired curler, it filled me with a huge sense of nostalgia. I found myself smiling or chuckling more than once. Heck, I might have to join a beer league after finishing the last chapter.”

“I’ve never appreciated curling more than I did while reading this book. And, okay, yes... that is damning with faint praise, it’s not my intention. This book is an enormously entertaining and insightful read.”

“It’s a history lesson, a bar-room debate and a love note to the game of curling all in one read. It’s a must read for sports fans.”

“John’s unique storytelling offers a distinctive and humorous glimpse into the world of curling. You don’t have to be a hardcore curling fan to enjoy this book, as his perspective gives everyone a chance to learn about our great game.”